1
as in to disobey
to go against the commands, prohibitions, or rules of
in those days a woman was brave if she defied fashion and wore white after Labor Day
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to confront
to oppose (something hostile or dangerous) with firmness or courage
a rescue team willing to defy the raging storm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to resist
to refuse to give in to
a bicyclist who regularly defies illness and infirmity in order to compete in races
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defy
But tens of thousands of films are made each year, and quite a few of them break the rules, defy conventional narrative expectations and smack us deep in our souls.
—
Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 Feb. 2026
Yeah, this is a very common methodology for those that are spreading lies about the elections, defying, just throw everything against the wall and see what sticks.
—CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
The blend of Spanish, Asian, Italian and Art Deco styles — which was a really popular mix at the time, although one that defied easy design categorization — practically pulses from the walls and ceilings now.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
More than a dozen anti-immigration enforcement agitators were arrested Thursday during a demonstration outside Columbia University in New York after allegedly defying orders from the New York City Police Department (NYPD).
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defy
Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 Feb. 2026
Yeah, this is a very common methodology for those that are spreading lies about the elections, defying, just throw everything against the wall and see what sticks.
—CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
The blend of Spanish, Asian, Italian and Art Deco styles — which was a really popular mix at the time, although one that defied easy design categorization — practically pulses from the walls and ceilings now.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
More than a dozen anti-immigration enforcement agitators were arrested Thursday during a demonstration outside Columbia University in New York after allegedly defying orders from the New York City Police Department (NYPD).
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defy
Verb
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Regulators also reviewed incidents in which the vehicles appeared to disobey traffic control devices.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
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The country's Supreme Court of Justice removed him from office in 2017 and sentenced him to prison for disobeying a court order to remove barricades during protests against the government of then-President Nicolás Maduro.—
Patricia Gallagher Newberry,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In a region defined by those who dare to buck convention, two teams will try to prove that their vision of the future is the correct one.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
8 Feb. 2026
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No one will dare sign anything off, try to solve social problems, or launch reforms.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When the mother-in-law entered Simon’s bedroom to tell him and his wife about it, Simon appeared visibly upset and left the room to confront Toth.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2026
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Limiting Walker would force Darnold to confront his demons.—
Hank Gola,
New York Daily News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Those who are traveling with a partner will appreciate the double vanities—or resist the old-fashioned clawfoot tub.—
Diana Oates,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2026
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The urge to lie down for a soak, even in winter, is hard to resist.—
Josh Jackson,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Still, even inside the awards-season bubble, the turmoil surrounding the movie business, the country and the world beyond it was hard to ignore.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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They're exhausted by the constant airing of grievances having little to do with what's actually going on in the country, and by the broad generalizations about, well, everything, that ignore context, nuance and facts to promote a political viewpoint.—
Brenda Looper,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Leading through challenging moments requires steadiness, clear priorities, and transparency.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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Your 3rd House of Transmissions carries mischievous Mercury, bouncing off of reactive Uranus in your 6th House of Everyday Effort, challenging your rhythm with a last-minute task.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Both the juvenile and the 19-year-old who were arrested are facing felony assault and disorderly conduct charges, according to the police.—
Jack Perry,
The Providence Journal,
7 Feb. 2026
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From the beginning, a mayoral run would have been a risky move for Horvath, who is not expected to face any major challengers to her own bid for reelection.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Hunters and non-hunters alike are opposing a mule deer eradication plan on Catalina Island that was recently approved by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.—
Kris Millgate,
Outdoor Life,
6 Feb. 2026
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Santa Clara, California — Mike Vrabel made his nnname in the NFL as a crunching outside linebacker, delivering punishment to opposing offenses and blowing up their plays on his way to winning multiple Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defy. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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